Flyers Sign G Ray Emery

As the clock strikes noon and the free agency period is underway the Flyers have found their second goalie.

Being reported since yesterday, the Flyers have officially signed goalie Ray Emery. This will be Emery's second go with the Flyers after his career was revived following a threatening hip disease.

The deal is worth $1.65 million for one year for Emery, which is a complete 180 after the deal they gave to the recently bought out Ilya Bryzgalov two years ago.

Emery, 30, enjoyed a fantastic shortened 2013 campaign, going 17-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA with the Chicago Blackhawks. His season was capped off with a Stanley Cup victory as well as getting some votes for the Vezina Award this year.

As far as anyone can tell, no NHL player has come back from the type of hip surgery the 28-year-old underwent in April. Diagnosed with avascular necrosis -- essentially, the top of the ball in his right hip deteriorated to its core -- Emery underwent an elaborate operation that featured bone grafted from his lower leg being inserted in the ball of his hip. In the past, his condition would have necessitated a full hip replacement, but this very specialized procedure avoided that.

It's a disease that pretty much ended the career of the great baseball and football star Bo Jackson.

In 29 starts during an injury-shortened 2009-10 season in which the Flyers lost in the Cup Finals to the Blackhawks, Emery went 16-11-1 with a 2.64 GAA. It was the end result to a hot start by Emery that was affected by injuries, leading to the tandem of Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher.

Emery only played in 10 games the following season with the Anaheim Ducks before signing with the Blackhawks the last two seasons.

Emery had a very effective season last year, but a lot of it can be credited to the team he had around him in Chicago. They play a more defensive style of hockey as well as boast one of the best defensive units in the NHL, an area that was a major problem for the Flyers last season.

Will Emery emulate his 2013 season? Absolutely not. It's difficult for even the best goalies in the NHL to do that.

But will he be effective and provide the Flyers with a reliable and inexpensive tandem along with Steve Mason ($3.15 million to be exact)? Absolutely.